Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Inorganic: D and F Block Elements

Question:

Arrange the following complexes in increasing order of their magnetic moment

(A) $[NiCl_4]^{2-}$
(B) $[Fe(H_2O)_6]^{2+}$
(C) $[Cr(H_2O)_6]^{3+}$
(D) $[Co(C_2O_4)_3]{3-}$

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Options:

(A), (B), (D), (C)

(D), (A), (C), (B)

(D), (C), (B), (A)

(C), (B), (D), (A)

Correct Answer:

(D), (A), (C), (B)

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2) → (D), (A), (C), (B)

Calculation of spin-only magnetic moment ($μ = \sqrt{[n(n+2)]} BM$):

Complex

Metal ion

d-electron count

Geometry & pairing

Unpaired e⁻ (n)

μ (BM)

(D) [Co(C₂O₄)₃]³⁻

Co³⁺

d⁶

Strong field (oxalate), low spin

0

0

(A) [NiCl₄]²⁻

Ni²⁺

d⁸

Tetrahedral (Cl⁻ weak field)

2

2.83

(C) [Cr(H₂O)₆]³⁺

Cr³⁺

d³⁸

Octahedral, high spin

3

3.87

(B) [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺

Fe²⁺

d⁶

Octahedral, weak field (H₂O), high spin

4

4.90

Increasing order of magnetic moment:

0 < 2.83 < 3.87 < 4.90

∴ (D) < (A) < (C) < (B)